MONDAY, MARCH 26/12

Overcast first thing, now Ross Island being hidden by a shroud of fog as it makes it way up the harbour. Total calm, temp 3C, remaining overcast, clearing tomorrow with temps remaining on the cool side especially in comparison to the highs of last week.

Mid-terms now behind the shcool crowd, Emily has a few weeks for her group to prepare for graduation, and finish the University Entrance process. Rob seems content to take things one day at a time, no great plans for down the road.

Hockey the topic this weekend, the Pee Wee team bringing home the banner as champions. Quite a feat having been in existance for less than one season. Local playoffs underway for the organized teams, well atended by general public.

Holy cow! The first champions of Grand Manan - Go Pee Wees, Go. That has got to be a big bone for the Grand Manan community and all the volunteers who run the rink. AWESOME!

Yesterday we were to have a brief visit from daughter so we went down the Lower Norton Shore Road, instead of our usual hike. It would blow your mind how many Greater Scaup we saw - clearly in the hundreds. A great sighting. Also, plenty of mallards, muskrat, a random beaver, and other song birds.

Along came a couple who stopped to talk about the scaup. Apparently, they have a cottage on Grand Manan, Grand Harbour - and are AVIDE bird watchers. They just completed a trip to Costa Rica to see the birds of the cloud forest and they knew Mr. Wilson and pretty much everybody else that we did on Grand Manan. Small world. That guy had a life bird list to be unrivaled. All that gabbing ensued in a brisk text message from daughter that she had made it home from Fredericton and we were still not home from the Shore - a five minute drive from our house. Ha Ha

I still hope to get over and see the brant. Do you think the main flock has come and gone, or are they still expected do you think. Sorry to ask dumb bird questions, but I don't know who else would know. Plus, they seem to love behind your house so you could eye-ball.

Well, good luck with your fog. It was so stinking cold and windy here I couldn't make myself go too far afield.

Morning David, Marty is Tony, just to save some fumbling when your paths cross again. They were in last evening to report meeting the gang from Cranberry Isle.Tony pleased to meet you folks, he has been attending the Town Hall Meetings for years. He always takes something away, and marvels how your industry is different yet the same. Regulations the big difference for sure.

The fog thick now, would be difficult to stay on the string as visibility really disappearing. Lots of waterfowel evident here in the harbour, brant making their presence known just before daylight. When the birds show up in these numbers another positive sign the season change is well underway.

Lobster price remains good, haven't heard on what the catch is per trap. However with the price nearly double from a few weeks ago it looks better in the wallet that is for sure.